Time for a Movie Night! Watch ‘Red, White & Brass’ On Netflix Now

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If you missed catching local comedy Red, White & Brass in cinemas, you can now stream in on Netflix instead! DEGANZ board president Ben Powdrell was one of the editors on the film.

Inspired by a true story, a Tongan rugby superfan hatches a plan to score World Cup tickets by forming a ragtag brass band to perform before the match. The only problem is they have no band, no instruments…and no idea.

The film has had a very successful festival run showing in 12 festival across the globe and winning the Special Jury Mention Narrative Feature at the LA Asian Pacific Film Festival in 2023 and winning Best Feature at the Pacific Island Film Festival New York City in 2024.

Watch Red, White & Brass on Netflix now.

 

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Pooley’s ‘Choir Games’ Coming to Sky Open and Neon

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DEGANZ member Leanne Pooley‘s inspiring docuseries Choir Games is dropping on Sky Go and Neon on 4 May.

The four-part series tells the story of two choirs, New Zealand’s Kaitāia Community Voices and New York City’s Young People’s Chorus, as they embark on a life-changing journey to compete in the largest choral competition, the 2024 World Choir Games held in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.

The series follows the choirs from their first rehearsals to their climactic performances, revealing their common struggles, dreams, and unyielding resilience. It also highlights the choirs’ conductors who serve as musical and personal mentors to the young singers. Despite the choirs’ different backgrounds, they are united by the joy that comes from singing and their love for music.

Leanne shares about the series,

I can honestly say this is the most joyful story I’ve ever told. The power of music to change lives is incredibly inspiring. I really think the world needs a series like this just now.

Choir Games will be available on Neon and Sky Go from Sunday 4 May, premiering on Sky Open at 7.30pm that evening.

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DEGANZ Watch List: Series Galore

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Check out these new series from DEGANZ members Rouzie Hassanova, Robyn Grace, and Jack Woon. It’s great to see DEGANZ members in the mix of new local series on both primetime and online. These shows offer insight into different cultural identities within Aotearoa and a peek behind of curtain of amateur theatre.

Ahi Wānganga

Factual Web Series

Director: Rouzie Hassanova

Ahi Wānanga (The Fires of Discussion) is a six-part web series exploring what identity, belonging and resilience is to 12 young people from Aotearoa’s Muslim and Māori communities.


Happiness

Narrative Series

Director: Robyn Grace

Charlie Summers, ex-Kiwi Broadway director, is forced by circumstance to return to his home town of Tauranga, where his mum makes him join her amateur theatre society.


Kaputī with the Cousins

Video Podcast Series

Online Editor & Colourist: Jack Woon

Kaputī with the Cousins is a video podcast series following cousins Jade Lee-Walker and Kura Turuwhenua, as they deal with kaupapa Māori in the way they always do; with a kaputī and a kōrero.

 

To see more recent work from DEGANZ members, check out our other DEGANZ Watch Lists!

 

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Dive into ‘Secrets at Red Rocks’

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New family drama series Secrets at Red Rocks, directed by David Stubbs (DEGANZ), is out now on Neon and Sky Go.

The eight-part show is an adaptation of the award-winning novel of the same name by NZ author Rachel King.

Set on the rugged Wellington coast with a distinctly 80s feel, the story follows Jake who is drawn into a world of mythical creatures and adventure. While feeling lost and ignored by the adults in his life, Jake entertains himself by exploring the unique Red Rocks at Ōwhiro Bay, where he stumbles across a sealskin hidden on the rocky shores. He takes it home to keep under his bed and unknowingly tangles himself into a journey of selkie mythology. The show weaves Māori and Celtic mythology into Jake’s coming-of-age tale, connecting nature’s mysterious ways into his path of discovering where he fits into the world around him.

Check out Secrets at Red Rocks on Neon or Sky Go for a fun adventure the whole family will enjoy.

 

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DEGANZ Watch List: Iwi Politics and Highlighting the Unseen

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This week’s DEGANZ Watch List features a tense drama series centered on Iwi politics and a fun-hearted factual web series highlighting blind and low vision young folks living in Aotearoa.

DEGANZ member Huhana Ruri-Panapa edited the new drama series, End of the Valley while fellow members Julie Zhu and Sheldene Seth co-directed Sight Unseen.

End of the Valley

Drama Series

Editor: Huhana Ruri-Panapa

When a land claim faces opposition, Kaea Williams is drawn into a world rich in heritage and mystery, unravelling the secrets of Ngāti Kiokio. The past and present collide in unexpected ways in this season of End Of The Valley.

 

Sight Unseen

Factual Web Series

Directors: Julie Zhu & Sheldene Seth

Blind rangatahi highlight their (un)sensationalised day-to-day lives, and their honest, funny, silly and serious conversations.

 

To see more recent work from DEGANZ members, check out our last DEGANZ watchlist!

 

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